UFC Seattle was meant to play host to the retirement fight of former long-time UFC champion Dominick Cruz. Unfortunately, a major injury forced Cruz out of the fight and he decided to retire without the farewell fight as a result.
Following the announcement, UFC president Dana White reacted to the retirement and voiced his sense of relief.
“He’ll have a great career after his [fighting] career,” White said at the UFC 312 post-fight press conference. “I’m blown away that he hung in there as long as he did. I mean, who’s been more injured than this guy? … I’m glad that he finally hung it up.”
Cruz has been working as a commentary analyst for the UFC for some time but was looking forward to fighting one last time before packing it all up for good.
"I have poured every ounce of myself into this sport for the last 25 years," Cruz wrote on Instagram. "I was really hopeful for one final fight, but unfortunately, two shoulder dislocations in eight months calls an end to this guy's career."